We come in a package deal, take it or leave it: Shantanu-Sheershak

Bollywood writer-director Shantanu Ray Chibber and Sheershak have known each other for 26 years and say that they will not break the partnership for the sake of money.

"We started this journey together and we will remain together. For us, recognition and adulation from the audiences are more important than money from a producer who wants to work independently with either of us. As we say, we come in a package deal, take it or leave it," Shantanu told IANS.

Their first film as writers was Neil Nitin Mukesh-starrer Hindi Sci-fi action-thriller "Aa Dekhen Zara", which was born from a one-minute teaser of the film's script presented to Eros.

They feel working together helps them to be in complete harmony.

"Our collaboration starts from the very beginning when an idea is conceived by either of us, which must excite us both. Both of us write and we direct together. Unless we convince each other that a particular scene is working, we do not move forward. Pre-production process is also the same, be it music, costumes, art design etc," Sheershak said.

What is the most important skill they posses as writer-director?

Sheershak said: "We are two of us and therefore we have double the output while conceiving ideas, conceptualising and writing."

Shantanu and Sheershak, who have three projects in the pipeline, will direct a Hindi psychological thriller called "3G" with Neil Nitin Mukesh.

The other two projects are Shahid Kapoor's "Namak" and Rajeev Khandelwal's "Table 21", for which they've been roped in as writers.

What kind of film is 3G?

"3G is a psychological thriller with an element of horror. It deals with technology and our dependence on it," said Shantanu.

What kind of films do you want to make?

Sheershak said: "We want to make films with powerful afterthought! It does not have to be preachy in nature but something that audiences will take back from the film."

Summing it up, Shantanu said: "We love writing and telling stories and want to see ours films get made. We would also love to write for Tamil, Bengali and Telugu films as well."